Angelique Kidjo takes Talking Heads to Abu Dhabi

The Talking Heads album has enjoyed popular acclaim since its release in 1980, receiving praise for its mix of rock, pop and African music. A fan of the album, Kidjo has spoken about its power.

“Brian Eno and Talking Heads understood the magical power of African music but instead of trying to clone it they created their own style based on the hypnotic rhythm patterns of Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat,” Kidjo said in an interview. “The cryptic lyrics were also resonating with me. Somehow I felt I was hearing, in a strange way, social commentaries on the state of my continent.”

Since the New York debut, Kidjo’s interpretation has been performed at the Lincoln Centre and the Bonnaroo Festival, both in the United States. In February, she will take the show to Abu Dhabi, where her set is expected to be opened by Kenyan act Mhbithi Masya from Just a Band.

Already the event is anticipated as one local publication reports: “The open air East Plaza venue will once again come to life, as Kidjo and her band thread African rhythms and melodies into the Talking Heads hits. Those who attend can expect to hear such tracks as Once in a Lifetime, Born Under Punches, and Crosseyed and Painless, along with a selection of her own songs.”

The event is supported by the The Arts Center, which houses the New York University Abu Dhabi’s Theater, Music, Film, Visual Arts, and New Media Studies departments. Although open to the public, the event requires registration for attendance.

For information concerning registration, see here.